Playah’s Paradise Entertainment in Glen Burnie began with the passion for music and the dreams of friends Lorenzo Sam and Jeff Andersen.

It also began through a conversation in an army barrack, when both were serving at Fort Meade.

Twenty years later, the idea has become the TraXarT Music Group — an organization that the two tout as a “one-stop shop” for music artists, and a collaboration of Playah’s Paradise and Sound Control recording studios, Simply Great Graphics design studio and Omar Swanson Photography studio.

“All this has kind of happened in the last six months, we talked about having something like this years ago,” said Anderson.

Playah’s Paradise started in Sam’s basement, but at the time he and Andersen couldn’t focus on building their business — they both were building careers, which involved multiple military deployments.

The two had enlisted elsewhere, but were both sent to Fort Meade for training. Andersen said despite many subsequent moves, the two remained friends. They kept making music even while he was stationed in Japan.

“There were no computers back then — he sent me tapes — with a letter,” Sam laughed.

In 2006, Sam incorporated the business on his own, while Andersen continued to send him music. Andersen said it’s been a long, fun journey in business — and in friendship.

“We’ve had ups and downs along the way, but we’ve always been able to turn to this as solace,” Andersen said of the business.

Once Sam retired from the military, he had time to focus on the business.

TraXarT was created bringing together additional owners Joe Billups, Warren Degraffinreaidt and Danny Bobbitt.

Scorpio Gross is the artist behind Simply Great Graphics, and Andre Quattlebaum has stepped in to manage business affairs.

Sam said the group’s studios primarily serve hip hop, pop and R&B artists, as well as young rappers.

Andersen said they plan to offer services for bands in the future, but the next step is to open a bar and lounge on the lower level of the building they occupy on Crain Highway in Glen Burnie. The space once housed restaurants, and more recently, a church.

Recent upgrades include the addition of TVs and a sound system. The business has applied for permits, and hopes to offer themed events such as comedy night, open mic night or sip and paint.

Sam said they are in the process of bringing on five interns. In exchange for real-world experience, the interns can take advantage of resources at the studios with potential for employment at the end of the internship.

The group would like to offer summer camps in the future, giving teens hands-on experience with the tools of the trade.

More information about programs and services is available at the website, playahsparadise.com.

Sam said he wants to make a local impact, after spending 20 years focused on national interests.

“Everything we’re doing now, I’m cool with it,” Sam said.

Although they now help others record music, the two friends agreed making their own music is their favorite part of the experience.

“I’m trying to get that sound I hear in my head onto the canvas — I still get lost in that,” Andersen said.

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